Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth coming to PS4, Vita in North America

An English-language version of the monster-battling RPG Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth is slated to launch in North America and Europe next year for the PlayStation 4 and PS Vita, publisher Bandai Namco announced.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth follows up on last year's 3D fighting game Digimon All-Star Rumble for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Cyber Sleuth shifts the series back into more familiar territory, returning to its turn-based RPG roots.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth finds players trapped between the real and digital worlds, and the only way to escape back to reality is to enlist the help of hundreds of digital creatures. Cyber Sleuth features over 200 collectible Digimon, which can be upgraded, evolved, and summoned in battle. Digimon started in the 90s as an alternative to Tamagotchi digital pets, taking on qualities of the popular Pokemon as the franchise expanded into other media.

"Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc. continues to strive to give players the games they want from our Japanese developers," said Bandai Namco Entertainment America vice president of marketing Eric Hartness. "Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth has been one of the most requested games with a faithful fan base itching to see new Digimon stories make it to the Americas, we are excited to bring this title to our shores."

After revealing an upcoming North American release for Cyber Sleuth at Anime Expo 2015, Bandai Namco subsequently confirmed plans for a European version as well.

Launched as a digital pet and competitor to Nintendo's Pokemon in the late 1990s, Digimon spawned an animated series and a number of related games for the original PlayStation and other platforms. Popular series entries include 2000's Digimon World, 2001's Digimon Rumble Arena, and 2003's Game Boy Advance spinoff Digimon Battle Spirit. Cyber Sleuth is considered a part of the core Digimon World series.

Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth will launch in retail and digitally for the PlayStation 4 in North America in 2016. The PS Vita version will only be released digitally via the PlayStation Network. Both versions are planned to launch exclusively via the PlayStation Network in Europe.